Europe to be in a pole position for the Fuel
Cells and Hydrogen Race

The future of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies
in Europe is on its way. The Council adopted today the regulation setting up the
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. This public-private joint technology
initiative (JTI) will implement the EU target-oriented research and development
to support the broad market introduction of these technologies. Founding members
are the European Community and a non-profit association of European industry
interests composed of a major share of Europe's fuel cells and hydrogen
companies of all sizes from micro to large multinationals. The Commission is
expected to fund 470 M€ from the Seventh Framework Programme for a period
of six years which will be at least matched by industry contributions. The first
calls for proposals are expected to be published after this summer. The official
celebration of the launch will be at the JTI's first Stakeholders' General
Assembly the 14 and 15 of October this year in Brussels.

"For the European Commission, the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology
Initiative represents a major milestone in the way the EU conducts
target-oriented research by partnering with the industry, which will increase
the overall resources available for R&D and will allow for better
coordination with National and Regional Programmes" said the Commissioner
for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik. "It will bring Europe shortly
in the pole position in the race for the development and deployment of these new
technologies". At the same time it will become an element of the European
Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-plan), which is to play a vital role in
accelerating the development and implementation of low carbon technologies. JTI
can be also seen as a first working example of future European Industrial
Initiatives foreseen by SET-plan for other technologies.

The main goal of the JTI is to speed up the development of fuel cells and
hydrogen technologies in Europe and enable their commercialisation between 2010
and 2020. The partnership will implement an integrated and efficient programme
of basic and applied research and technology development activities,
demonstration and support actions focused on the most promising applications.
The JTI will ensure coordination of activities at European level in order to
maximise synergies with Member States and regional programmes.

Scenario analysis, undertaken in the EU-funded project
"HyWAYS" indicates that hydrogen, if introduced with suitable policy measures,
could reduce the total oil consumption by the road transport sector by 40%
between now and 2050. Furthermore, by 2050, CO2 savings from road transport of
up to 50% compared to peak levels are possible. Comparing overall spending for
hydrogen production, supply and vehicles with the savings to be gained from
replacing conventional fuel and conventional vehicles over time, the break-even
point could be most likely reached between 2025 and 2035. Nevertheless European
Industry needs additional stimulation to invest in the technology of hydrogen
and fuel cells.

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen JTI is the culmination of a 6-year effort
involving the main stakeholders in the sector. It started in October 2002 with
the establishment of the High Level Group for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
Technologies. They developed a common and collective "vision" on the
contribution that these technologies could make to the realisation of
sustainable energy systems in the future. The industry-led European Hydrogen and
Fuel Cell Technology Platform launched in June 2003 followed this path and
developed the main strategic documents for Europe and assisted the Commission in
the preparation of the JTI.

The legal entity, the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, will be led
by a Governing Board. Daily management and operations will be the responsibility
of an Executive Director supported by the Programme Office with its seat in
Brussels. A Scientific Committee composed of high level personalities will
advise the Governing Board. The Member States will closely follow the activities
via the States Representatives Group. The Stakeholders' General Assembly will be
held on an annual basis and be open to all public and private stakeholders to
stimulate a dynamic debate and information exchange on ongoing and future
activities.

More information:

Press release on Hyways: "European research shows that hydrogen
energy could reduce oil consumption in road transport by 40% by 2050":IP/08/299